The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and…

The U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women awarded a $750,000 Legal Assistance for Victims (CFDA 16.524) grant to 180 Turning Lives Around, Inc., a non-profit organization in Hazlet, New Jersey. The grant funding will support the provision of comprehensive civil and criminal legal services to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Legal services to be provided include assistance with restraining orders, divorce, child custody, immigration, and other matters related to the victimization. Through partnerships with South Jersey Legal Services, New Jersey Crime Victims Law Center, and American Friends Services Committee, the project aims to increase access to legal aid for underserved populations. Additionally, the organization will develop a sexual violence protection order information flyer for distribution during community outreach. The 3-year project period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

The legal assistance for victims (LAV) grant program, authorized by 34 U.S.C. 20121, is intended to increase the availability of civil and criminal legal assistance needed to effectively aid adult and youth (ages 11 to 24) victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, or sexual assault by providing funds for comprehensive direct legal services to victims in legal matters relating to or arising out of that abuse or violence. Legal assistance is assistance in: a) divorce, parental rights, child support, tribal, territorial, immigration, employment, administrative agency, housing, campus, education, healthcare, privacy, contract, consumer, civil rights, protection or other injunctive proceedings, related enforcement proceedings, and other similar matters; B) criminal justice investigations, prosecutions, and post-conviction matters (including sentencing, parole, and probation) that impact the victims safety, privacy, or other interests as a victim; C) alternative dispute resolution, restorative practices, or other processes intended to promote victim safety, privacy, and autonomy, and offender accountability, regardless of court involvement; or D) post-conviction relief proceedings in state, local, tribal, or territorial court with respect to a conviction of a victim relating to or arising from domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or SEX trafficking victimization of the victim. Through this continuation legal assistance for victims project, 180 turning lives around, in partnership with south jersey legal services, new jersey crime victims law center, and american friends services committee, will provide legal services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking in monmouth county, new jersey. Legal services will include intake/needs assessment, safety planning, information about legal options, assistance with restraining/protection orders and victims of crime compensation office applications, information about court processes, court accompaniment, and referrals to attorneys at partner agencies for legal advice and representation in matters related to restraining orders, divorce, custody, support, visitation, immigration, and other related issues. The following product will be developed during the project period: a sexual violence protection order information flyer for distribution during outreach.